1970 Volume 7 Issue 2 Pages 83-92
The halfway house is one of the ‘intermediary institutions’ which include also the night hospital and day hospital, and it plays an important role in the rehabilitation by serving as an intermediary step on the way from hospital life to full return to home.
Halfway houses for physically and mentally handicapped have well developed in U. S. A. and England. Westmoor House in London established by Dr. Howell is typical of such houses.
In the present article, an experience of a halfway house closely connected with the rehabilitation service of a community general hospital is reported, which extends over the first one and one-half years of its operation. This halfway house accomodates about 80 convalescent patients (mostly hemiplegic), and they are encouraged to live actively and independently as much as possible in an environment closely resembled to their home. Architectural planning and design was carefully oriented to this ultimate goal, including, for example, wards in Japanese style (with tatami), triangle day corner for each Western style ward, adapted bathtubs, toilets and basins, landscaped garden for outdoor activities, and so on.
The total rehabilitation program of the halfway house is oriented for the earlier return of the patients to home with maximal independence in basic A. D. L. and their return to a productive life. For this pourpose, occupational therapy program with emphasis on A. D. L. and prevocational evaluation and training has been developed. Physical therapy program at the halfway house is mainly that of maintenance. Social work program is centered for the earlier discharge of the patients to home and adequate vocational placement. A group recreation program, organized jointly by social workers and occupational therapists was also developed.
